Windmill powerplant

ABSTRACT

A wind power unit, that uses the power of wind, is made as a support installed power-generating unit comprising at least one turbine with a nozzle apparatus mechanically connected to a generator, a central shell, an annular front shell having at least one input channel of the turbine that forms with the central shell an output channel of the turbine, and annular outside shell that forms with the central shell diffuser output channel. The power-generating unit is equipped with an additional annular shell forming with external surfaces of the front and central shells narrowing-expanding first intermediate channel connected in its intermediate part to turbine output channel, while, with the internal surface of the outside shell, a second intermediate channel connected long with the first intermediate channel is used to diffuse the output channel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to power engineering and, in particular,relates to a wind power generation unit, i.e., a unit for conversion ofwind power to electrical or other energy to be used in industry,agriculture, etc.

2. Description of the Related Art

Long known are wind power units using kinetic energy of air flows bydirect wind effect on turbine wind wheel blades. To increase theefficiency of the units, the pressure of the input flow before the windwheel is changed, using diffusers and other structures of variousgeometric shapes that direct air flow. Units converting kinetic energyof air flow by direct effect on a wind wheel, Darrier rotors and thelike have an essential disadvantage: blades are affected by irregularair flow that creates variable dynamic loads resulting in instability ofgenerated electric current parameters. Significant power losses arerelated to application of multipliers to increase the number ofrevolutions of the generator rotor. To increase the efficiency of windpower generating units, it was suggested to double the effect on theturbine of an accelerated flow and rarefaction from the output channelside.

The station described in the patent comprises a turbine, a powergenerator, a unit to direct the air flow to the turbine made as acontractor and a unit to remove the air flow behind the turbineconnected to the reduced pressure zone. Air intake parts of the stationform channels that narrow in the middle part and are made to inputexternal air flow from two sides. A separator distributes air flowentering the channel into two channels, inlet and outlet. One flowthrough an inlet orifice is directed, with a 270 degree turn, to theaccumulation chamber where the power generator, the multiplier and theturbine are installed. An exhaust pipe of the latter is located in theair outlet chamber. The second flow accelerated in the channel createsrarefaction in the narrow section of the channel and provides output ofthe flow from the chamber though a system of air ducts with severalturns in the outlet opening.

This station loses power in the flow coming to the accumulation chamberand to the turbine through an outlet opening due to several turns of theflow that creates an irregular velocity field, pressure, andtemperatures in the accumulation chamber. A cumbersome multiplier in theinput pipe of the turbine increases irregularity of the flow along theperimeter of the turbine input pipe. The multiplier also causesadditional mechanical losses. Irregularity of the flow in the outletchamber and flow turn by 270 degrees from the exit pipe of the turbineto the outlet opening prevent high efficiency of air flow energytransformation. Practical sue of the device in the stationary embodimentinstalled on the basement is extremely limited due to the impossibilityof station orientation to wind direction.

The embodiment of the station installed on a tower also fails to provideself-orientation to the direction of the wind. Such design fails toprovide the possibility of using the power of air flows streamlining theunit. Besides, input and output channels supplying the flow to chambersare located either laterally or in the middle of the unit, rather thanon the entire channel perimeter. This precludes use of flow internalenergy and its pressure energy.

A preferred design is the wind power-generating unit comprising anexternal shell, which is a central body installed on the axis ofsymmetry of the unit on the inside where a power generator is located.The generator shaft bears a turbine preceded by the contractor. Annulargaps between the central body and the cowl, the external shell internalsurface, the outside surface of the cowl, and the internal surface ofthe external shell of the central body provide increases in the velocityof air flow in the channel minimum cross-sections and allow to increaseits kinetic energy through reduction of its internal and pressureenergy. The unit, essentially, has two stages which provide increase offlow velocity at the drop of pressure in channel minimum cross-sections.The boost of flows in the minimum cross-sections is achieved under theeffect of energy of rarefaction in the basement shear of the unit andthrough energy coming to the air flow nozzle, in the first stage, andunder the effect of rarefaction in the output cross-section of theexhaust pipe of the air turbine and energy coming to the input nozzle ofthe turbine of an air flow, in the second stage. However, a stableoperational mode of this unit may be achieved only with rather large airflow velocities.

In the given invention, the indicated disadvantage is largely eliminatedby the wind power-generating unit in the form of a power unit mounted ona support comprising at least one turbine with a nozzle apparatusmechanically connected to one or several generators, a central shell, anannular front shell with at least one input channel of the turbineforming an output channel with the central shell of the turbine, and anannular external shell forming a diffuser output channel with thecentral shell. The power-generating unit is equipped with an additionalannular shell forming, with external surface of the front and centralshells, a narrowing and expanding first intermediate channel connectedin its intermediate part with the output channel of the turbine. Withthe internal surface of the outside shell, there is a secondintermediate channel connected, along with the first intermediatechannel, to the diffuser output channel. The back edge of the outsideshell coincides with its maximum diameter. The input channel and theturbine are located in the center of the front shell. Input channels andturbines are located on the cross-sectional perimeter in the frontshell. The generator is equipped with a cowl and is located in front ofthe turbine. The generator is located behind the turbine in the centralshell. The turbine is equipped with two or several generators. Theoutput part of the additional shell is made movable to changecross-section of adjacent channels. The output part of the front shellis made movable to change cross-section of adjacent channels. Thetrailing edge in it meridian plane has an angle of tangent declinationto the external surface of the outside shell equal to 90-120 degreesrelative to the plane of the basement shear of the shell. The support ismade as a joint installed on the top of the column. The rotation axis ofthe joint is located along the wind flow in front of the center ofpower-generating unit wind pressure. At least one of the shells isfilled with gas of a density less than that of ambient atmosphere. Thesupport is made as a cable attached to the front part of the frontshell. The cable is installed horizontally or with a slant, and its endsare attached at artificial or natural heights, while thepower-generating unit is equipped with wings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned conceptual needs are satisfied by the formation anduse of a wind power unit in the form of a support-installedpower-generator. In one aspect, the wind power unit comprises a support,at least one turbine and mechanically connected to at least onegenerator, a central shell having an external surface, a front shellhaving an interior and exterior surface and a trailing edge and definingat least one input channel of the turbine with the front shellcooperating with the central shell to form a turbine output channelbetween the front shell and the central shell, and an annular externalshell surrounding at least a portion of the central shell andcooperating with the central shell to form a diffuser output channel.

The wind power unit further comprises an additional annular shell havinga trailing edge, the additional annular shell cooperating with theexternal surfaces of the front and central shells to form anarrowing-extending first intermediate channel that is connected in anintermediate part with the turbine output channel, the additionalannular shell cooperating with the internal surface of the externalshell to form a second intermediate channel that is connected with thefirst intermediate channel and with the diffuser output channel. Thewind unit still further comprises a movable output part on the trailingedge of the additional annular shell, wherein the output part is movableto change a cross-section of the first and second intermediate channels,which increases the kinetic energy of the air flow through the first andsecond intermediate channels; and a movable output part on the trailingedge of the front shell, wherein the output part is movable to change across-section of the turbine output and first intermediate channels,which increases the kinetic energy of the air flow through the first andsecond intermediate channels.

In another aspect, the wind power unit comprises a back edge of theexternal shell, which coincides with a maximum diameter of the externalshell. The input channel and the turbine are located in the center ofthe front shell. Plural input channels and turbines are located on across-sectional perimeter in the front shell. The generator is equippedwith a cowl and is located in the central shell and in front of theturbine. The turbine is equipped with at least two generators with atleast one of the generators located in front of the turbine and at leastone of the generators located behind the turbine. The generator isequipped with a cowl and is located in the central shell and behind theturbine.

Additionally, the movable output part on the trailing edge of theadditional annular shell and the movable output part on the trailingedge of the front shell streamline the air flow through the wind powerunit to increase the rotational velocity of the at least one turbine. Atthe back edge in a meridian plane the angle of tangent declination to anexternal surface of the external shell equals to 90-120 degrees withrespect to the plane of the basement shear of the shell. The powergenerating unit has a center of wind pressure, and wherein the supportis made as a joint installed on a top of a column and located to have ajoint rotation axis located in wind flow in front of the center of thewind pressure. At least one shell is filled with gas which density isless than that of air. The support is made as a cable fixed to a nose ofthe front shell. The cable is installed with an angular displacementincluding horizontal and an end of the cable is fixed at one of anartificial and natural heights such that wings are attached to the windpower unit in a manner so as to provide lift.

Furthermore, a method is provided for transforming energy of a first gasflow using a wind power unit in the form of a support-installedpower-generator having at least one turbine mechanically connected to atleast one generator. The method comprises accelerating the energy of afirst gas flow in front of the turbine by using a component of the firstgas flow, while simultaneously creating rarefaction behind the turbineby creating rarefaction across an output section of a profiled ductcommunicated to a minimum-section zone, where the first gas flow isaffected by the component of the first gas flow streaming directly pasta deflector. The method further comprises streaming the first gas flowpast the outer envelope to produce rarefaction in the output section dueto ejection; and creating multi-stage acceleration of the first gasflow, which increases the use of the energy of the first gas flow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is explained in drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the power-generating unit of the wind power unit.

FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of the power-generating unit with severalturbines.

FIG. 3 shows axonometric projection of the power-generating unit of FIG.2.

FIG. 4 shows joint attachment of the power-generating unit on thecolumn.

FIG. 5 attachment to a cable power-generating unit in aerostat version.

FIG. 6 shows the power-generating unit with wings.

FIG. 7 illustrates the attachment of the power-generating unit on ahorizontal or sloped cable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The wind power unit is made as a power-generating unit installed on asupport, comprising at least one turbine 1 with nozzle apparatus 2. Theshaft of turbine 1 is mechanically connected to the generator 3. Theterm “generator” should be understood not only as an electrical currentgenerator, but as any device to convert mechanical energy into any kindof energy convenient for use in the particular circumstances. It can be,for example, a pump in a hydraulic drive system, a pneumatic drivecompressor, etc. The power-generating unit also comprises a centralshell 4 and an annular front shell 5, with at least one input channel 6of turbine 1, forming with a central shell 4 output channel 7 of theturbine 1, and an annular external shell 8, forming with the centralshell 4 a diffuser output channel 9. The feature of the power-generatingunit is that it is equipped with an additional annular shell 10, formingwith the external surfaces of the front 5 and central 4 shellsnarrowing—extending the first intermediate channel 11, connected in themiddle part with output channel 7 of turbine 3, and with the internalsurface of n outside shell 8, second intermediate channel 12 connected,along with the intermediate channel 11, to the diffuser output channel9. The back edge 13 of the external shells 8 coincides with its maximumdiameter. In one of the embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1, inputchannel 6 and turbines 1 are located in the center of the front shell 5.In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the input channels 6and turbines 1 are located on the cross-sectional perimeter in forwardshell 5. Generator 3 may be located behind turbine 1 and in front of it.In the latter case, the generator 3 is equipped with a cowl 14. In allembodiments, the turbine may be connected to one of several generatorslocated behind the turbine or in front of it.

The output part 15 of the additional shell 10 may be made movable, i.e.,have rotational or axial displacement, to change the cross-section ofthe adjacent channels 11 and 12, while the output part 16 of the frontshells 5 is made movable to change the cross-section of the adjacentchannels 7 and 11. Parts 15 and 16 may be designed adjustable, i.e.,with rotary doors and inserts. In the back edge 13 meridian plane, angleα of tangent declination to the external surface of the outside shell 8equals to 90-120 degrees with respect to the basement shear of theshell, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The support of the power-generating unit may be made as joint 18, e.g.,cylindrical, installed on the top of column 17. Joint rotation axis islocated on the front of the wind flow in one plane with the center ofwind pressure P of the power-generating unit. P is a point ofapplication of the resultant aerodynamic forces acting on thepower-generating unit streamlined by a wind flow. Such design ensuresturning of the power-generating unit to the wind with any direction ofthe latter.

At least one of the shells of the power-generating unit may be filledwith gas which density is less than that of ambient atmosphere, such asan aerostat embodiment. In this case, the power-generating unit supportmay be made as a cable 19, with one end fixed to the ground and theother to the nose part of the front shell 5, as illustrated in FIG. 5.The cable 19 may be installed horizontally or with a slope and its endsare attached at artificial or natural heights as illustrated in FIG. 7.As illustrated in FIG. 6, the power-generating unit may have wings 20 tocreate additional lift in the wind. The power-generating unit shells areunified with the help of strips 21 and 22, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The wind power unit operates as follows:

A free air flow moving along the surface of outside shell 8 of the unitcreates, through ejection, rarefaction on the unit basement shear. Thezone of effective influence of the flow creating rarefaction equals toat least one diameter of the unit basement shear, that is the processinvolves annular air flow which largest diameter is no less than threediameters of the unit basement shear. Energy of the flow may bedetermined by the first law of thermodynamics, or calculated using theformula for determination of gas elastic energy, or through other knownways. Air flow coming to the input section of the channel 12 has acertain reserve of energy calculated by known ways.

Under the effect of two energy flows, from the side leg of the inputchannel and from the side of the basement shear, air flow reachesmaximum velocity in the minimum cross-section of channel 12 in the zoneof the back edge 15 of additional shells 10. That is, kinetic energy ofthe flow sharply increases, and the process is related to reduction offlow enthalpy. With the increase of velocity, pressure in thiscross-section reduces, and we designate the value of pressure as P<1.This pressure will be significantly lower than pressure P0 in the freeflow. Pressure in the output section of channel 11 will also be equal toP1. Therefore, air channel 11 is affected by two energies: one from theside leg of the output section of channel 11 and the other, from theside of its input cross-section. Vectors of effect of these energies onthe flow coincide. Interaction of these energies causes essentialincrease of velocity in the minimum cross-section of channel 11, in theback edge zone of front shell 5, and appropriate reduction of pressurein the zone. Thus, pressure in the output part of the channel is assumeto be P1=0.85 to 0.9 P0, then pressure P2 in the minimum cross-sectionzone of channel will be P2=0.7 to 0.75 P0.

Pressure in the output cross-section of the air channel 6 also will beequal to P2. In the minimum cross-section of channel 6, turbine 1 isinstalled with directing nozzle apparatus 2. In the cross-section of theturbine, air flow velocity, through interaction of energy of air flowcoming to channel of 6 and rarefaction in the output cross-section ofchannel 6, will reach its maximum local speed of sound or close to it.Kinetic energy in the turbine 1 represents available work, which will betransformed into rotation of turbine 1 and to the electrical generators3 connected to it.

The processes of energy transformation in the unit channels areidentical to those occurring in Laval nozzles, and the minimum pressureof flow in the work zone of the turbine will be equal to P3=0.528 P0 ora little higher, depending on free flow velocity. Air turbines areefficient even at minor pressure differentials, and the unit willoperate at free air flow velocities of V0=5 to 7 m/s, but amount ofgenerated electric power will be less.

Thus, the suggested wind power unit, unlike the analogs considered abovein the prior art embodiments, allows the use of the energy of the windflows streamlining the unit. More effective is stepwise conversion ofair flows energy resulted from simultaneous interaction on air flows inchannels of both energies of flows coming to the channels and energy ofrarefaction in output cross-sections thereof.

Suggested wind power units are used most effectively in regions withincreased wind velocities, e.g., on islands, on marine coasts, inmountains, etc. The units may be installed in various embodiments, asillustrated in FIG. 7, on columns or towers, suspended as daisy-chainson cables, and fixed on any support in rifts. In regions where theaverage velocities are insignificant, the aerostat embodiment of theunit may be used by filling its pressure shells with helium, using aheated air inside the shells, or using other known ways.

Current levels of electrical engineering development allows the use ofthe unit with virtually with no changes, such as industrial high-speedelectric generators, industrial air turbines complete with nozzledirecting apparatus, e.g., air turbines of power-generating units ofairplanes and other aircraft, turbodetander units, etc. To reduce timeand cost of assembling the units in situ, it is advisable to produceturbine generator units fully assembled, i.e., in full factoryreadiness. The weight of a high-speed 1000 kW power generator does notexceed 700 kg, while the gross weight of a turbine generator unit of thesame power will be hardly more than one ton. Depending on unit power andtype of the units, shells of the units may be made of various materialsaccording to well developed processes, such as composite materials,aluminum allow stock, plastic, etc. Additionally, shells may be modular,inflatable, etc.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wind power unit in the form of asupport-installed power-generator comprising a support, at least oneturbine and mechanically connected to at least one generator, a centralshell having an external surface, a front shell having an interior andexterior surface and a trailing edge and defining at least one inputchannel of the turbine with the front shell cooperating with the centralshell to form a turbine output channel between the front shell and thecentral shell, and an annular external shell surrounding at least aportion of the central shell and cooperating with the central shell toform a diffuser output channel, the unit comprising: an additionalannular shell having a trailing edge, the additional annular shellcooperating with the external surfaces of the front and central shellsto form a narrowing-extending first intermediate channel that isconnected in an intermediate part with the turbine output channel, theadditional annular shell cooperating with the internal surface of theexternal shell to form a second intermediate channel that is connectedwith the first intermediate channel and with the diffuser outputchannel; a movable output part on the trailing edge of the additionalannular shell, wherein the output part is movable to change across-section of the first and second intermediate channels, whichincreases the kinetic energy of the air flow through the first andsecond intermediate channels; and a movable output part on the trailingedge of the front shell, wherein the output part is movable to change across-section of the turbine output and first intermediate channels,which increases the kinetic energy of the air flow through the first andsecond intermediate channels.
 2. The wind power unit according to claim1, wherein a back edge of the external shell coincides with a maximumdiameter of the external shell.
 3. The wind power unit according toclaim 1, wherein the input channel and the turbine are located in thecenter of the front shell.
 4. The wind power unit according to claim 1wherein plural input channels and turbines are located on across-sectional perimeter in the front shell.
 5. The wind power unitaccording to claim 1, wherein the generator is equipped with a cowl andis located in the central shell and in front of the turbine.
 6. The windpower unit according to claim 1, wherein the turbine is equipped with atleast two generators with at least one of the generators located infront of the turbine and at least one of the generators located behindthe turbine.
 7. The wind power unit according to claim 1, wherein thegenerator is equipped with a cowl and is located in the central shelland behind the turbine.
 8. The wind power unit according to claim 1,wherein the movable output part on the trailing edge of the additionalannular shell and the movable output part on the trailing edge of thefront shell streamline the air flow through the wind power unit toincrease the rotational velocity of the at least one turbine.
 9. Thewind power unit according to claim 1, wherein at the back edge in ameridian plane the angle of tangent declination to an external surfaceof the external shell equals to 90-120 degrees with respect to the planeof the basement shear of the shell.
 10. The wind power unit according toclaim 1, wherein the power generating unit has a center of windpressure, and wherein the support is made as a joint installed on a topof a column and located to have a joint rotation axis located in windflow in front of the center of the wind pressure.
 11. The wind powerunit according to claim 1, wherein at least one shell is filled with gaswhich density is less than that of air.
 12. The wind power unitaccording to claim 1, wherein the support is made as a cable fixed to anose of the front shell.
 13. The wind power unit according to claim 12,wherein the cable is installed with an angular displacement includinghorizontal and an end of the cable is fixed at one of an artificial andnatural heights.
 14. The wind power unit according to claim 13, whereinwings are attached to the wind power unit.
 15. A wind power unit in theform of a support-installed power-generator having at least one turbinemechanically connected to at least one generator and with a front shelldefining at least one input channel to the turbine, the front shellhaving an interior and exterior surface and a trailing edge, the unitincluding a central shell having an external surface and cooperatingwith the front shell to form a turbine output channel between the frontshell and the central shell, the unit having an annular external shellsurrounding at least a portion of the central shell and cooperating withthe central shell to form a diffuser output channel, the unitcomprising: an additional annular shell having an interior and exteriorsurface and having a trailing edge, the annular shell being locatedintermediate the external shell and both of the central and frontshells, the interior surface of the additional annular shell cooperatingwith external surfaces of the front and central shells to form a firstannular intermediate channel that is connected in an intermediate partwith the turbine output channel, the external surface of the additionalannular shell cooperating with the internal surface of the externalshell to form a second annular intermediate channel connected with thefirst intermediate channel and with the diffuser output channel; amovable output part on the trailing edge of the additional annularshell, wherein the output part is movable to change a cross-section ofthe first and second intermediate channels, which increases the kineticenergy of the air flow through the first and second intermediatechannels; and a movable output part on the trailing edge of the frontshell, wherein the output part is movable to change a cross-section ofthe turbine output and first intermediate channels, which increases thekinetic energy of the air flow through the first and second intermediatechannels.
 16. A method for transforming energy of a first gas flow usinga wind power unit in the form of a support-installed power-generatorhaving at least one turbine mechanically connected to at least onegenerator, the method comprising: accelerating the energy of a first gasflow in front of the turbine by using a component of the first gas flow,while simultaneously creating rarefaction behind the turbine by creatingrarefaction across an output section of a profiled duct communicated toa minimum-section zone, where the first gas flow is affected by thecomponent of the first gas flow streaming directly past a deflector;streaming the first gas flow past the outer envelope to producerarefaction in the output section due to ejection; and creatingmulti-stage acceleration of the first gas flow, which increases the useof the energy of the first gas flow.
 17. A wind power unit in the formof a support-installed power-generator comprising a support, at leastone turbine and mechanically connected to at least one generator, acentral shell having an external surface, a front shell having aninterior and exterior surface and a trailing edge and defining at leastone input channel of the turbine with the front shell cooperating withthe central shell to form a turbine output channel between the frontshell and the central shell, and an annular external shell surroundingat least a portion of the central shell and cooperating with the centralshell to form a diffuser output channel, the unit comprising: anadditional annular shell having a trailing edge cooperating with theexternal surfaces of the front and central shells to form anarrowing-extending first intermediate channel that is connected in anintermediate part with the turbine output channel, the additionalannular shell cooperating with the internal surface of the externalshell to form a second intermediate channel that is connected with thefirst intermediate channel and with the diffuser output channel; and amovable output part on the trailing edge of the additional annularshell, wherein the output part is movable to change a cross-section ofthe first and second intermediate channels, which increases the kineticenergy of the air flow through the first and second intermediatechannels.
 18. The wind power unit according to claim 17, wherein theadditional annular shell has a movable output part on a trailing edge ofthe front shell, which the output part is movable to change across-section of the turbine output and first intermediate channels,which increases the kinetic energy of the air flow through the first andsecond intermediate channels.
 19. A wind power unit in the form of asupport-installed power-generator comprising a support, at least oneturbine and mechanically connected to at least one generator, a centralshell having an external surface, a front shell having an interior andexterior surface and a trailing edge and defining at least one inputchannel of the turbine with the front shell cooperating with the centralshell to form a turbine output channel between the front shell and thecentral shell, and an annular external shell surrounding at least aportion of the central shell and cooperating with the central shell toform a diffuser output channel, the unit comprising: an additionalannular shell having a trailing edge cooperating with the externalsurfaces of the front and central shells to form a narrowing-extendingfirst intermediate channel that is connected in an intermediate partwith the turbine output channel, the additional annular shellcooperating with the internal surface of the external shell to form asecond intermediate channel that is connected with the firstintermediate channel and with the diffuser output channel; and a movableoutput part on the trailing edge of the front shell, wherein the outputpart is movable to change a cross-section of the turbine output andfirst intermediate channels, which increases the kinetic energy of theair flow through the first and second intermediate channels.
 20. Thewind power unit according to claim 19, wherein the additional annularshell has a movable output part on a trailing edge of the additionalannular shell, which the output part is movable to change across-section of the first and second intermediate channels, whichincreases the kinetic energy of the air flow through the first andsecond intermediate channels.